July 2, 1863
The second day at Gettysburg. So much happened  on that day it's hard to tell the story in a few paragraphs, but dad says I have to try. The problem  that Lee was left with after July 1 was that his men had won a victory, but not the decisive victory he had hoped for.The Union army had retreated through the town and re-formed it's lines on the hills and  ridges to the south. General Winfield Scott Hancock was instrumental in setting up the defenses. The  line was anchored on Cemetary Hill on the southern edge of Gettysburg. Hancock also put men on nearby Culps Hill, to the southeast. From Cemetary Hill it ran south along Cemetary Ridge for a couple of miles  to two hills called Little Round Top and Round Top. Viewed from above the line would have looked like a fish hook, or at least that's how the guides describe it.:)  On the afternnon of July 1 Lee ordered at attack on the Federals retreating to Cemetary Hill.

The attack never came. The Rebel General on that part of the field, Richard Ewell felt that his men weren't capable of taking the hill and using the discretion Lee's orders gave him, held off the attack that might have turned Gettysburg into a decisive Confederate victory.
On July 2, Lee determined to attack the Union lines at both ends. James Longstreet, Lee's most trusted General advised Lee to move the army around the Federals, find a good defensive position, and await an attack, but Lee had the Army of the Potomac in front of him and believed his men could defeat them where they were.
Again, click on the thumbnails to get the full size pictures with descriptions and more details.

By the time the fighting finally stopped on the night of July 2, the dead and wounded, in thousands, were all over the battlefield.  From Culp's Hill to the Peach Orchard and the Wheat Field, to Devil's Den and Little Round Top and to the crest of Cemetary Ridge.
Lots of casualties, but no decision.  The Union line held, barely, but it held.  Lee still believed his men could break that line and win the war on the next day.

Dad says there's several good books about July 2, the best being; Gettysburg the Second Day, by Harry Pfanz.  Check out the books section for more.